Java Programmer Contract Jobs in Connecticut (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary
We are seeking a Mid to Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) to join a team developing a Conversational AI platform that delivers voice and chat experiences. The ideal candidate will own and evolve test automation frameworks, helping ensure quality, reliability, and scalability across the platform.
About the Role
This is not a traditional QA role. As an engineering-focused SDET, you will partner closely with software developers to build automated testing solutions, define testing strategies, and validate platform capabilities across APIs, backend systems, user interfaces, and AI-enabled features. You will contribute directly to sprint deliverables while helping drive engineering excellence and platform reliability.
*Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future*
In this role, you will:
- Understand how all elements of the system software ecosystem work together and develop QA approaches and tools that fit the overall strategy
- Collaborate with Product, Architecture, and Engineering teams to define test strategy, coverage goals, and acceptance criteria
- Develop test strategies and create appropriate test harnesses for Conversational AI systems across Voice and Chat channels
- Identify testing gaps and recommend solutions
- Design, build, and maintain reusable test harnesses and frameworks that eliminate decision paralysis for engineers
- Provide clear patterns for: test framework selection, test data setup, and test implementation
- Create comprehensive examples and documentation so developers can write tests without reinventing solutions
- Provide test infrastructure to enable engineering teams to test and own quality of the services
- Support testing across Java/Node.js backends, APIs, and Conversational AI platforms
- Develop specialized test strategies for conversational AI workflows and agent interactions
- Build test harnesses for API-level, backend service, and end-to-end scenarios
- Validate complex multi-turn conversations, intent recognition, and orchestration logic
- Develop and automate Voice and Chat test plans
- Be a stakeholder of the release to ensure defects are fixed per SLA and end customer experience is protected and improved
- Monitor and report on test execution and quality metrics
- Validate that platform changes maintain or improve customer experience
- Educate and train engineers on test harnesses, frameworks, and best practices
- Mentor team members on test-driven development and automation patterns
- Make testing accessible-remove friction from the testing process
- When harness work is complete, contribute to automated test implementation and general development items
- Pair with developers on complex testing scenarios
- Help close any testing gaps across the team
Work Model
At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible, and we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs. Based on this role's business requirements, this is an onsite position requiring 5 days a week in a client or Cognizant office in in Hartford CT or Wellesley MA.
*Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future*
What you need to have to be considered
5+ years total software engineering experience with 3+ years focused on test automation/SDET work
A deep understanding of automation testing and ability to lead engineers in writing automation scripts/programs that aid automated testing
Strong proficiency in at least one backend language: Java, Node.js with object-oriented design experience
API testing expertise: REST, request/response validation, mocking, contract testing.
Test framework experience: JUnit, Jest, or equivalent; experience building custom frameworks a plus
Tools and Test Platforms - SOAPUI, Postman, Bruno, Playwright, Selenium, Cucumber, Hammer and Cyara.
Voice and Chat test automation expertise and familiarity with test methodologies for conversational systems.
CI/CD pipeline knowledge: GitHub Actions, comfortable with automation in pipelines
Test data management: Experience designing and maintaining test data strategies
Full-stack testing: Comfortable testing across APIs, backends, and frontend layers
Strong communication: Ability to document patterns, mentor others, and articulate testing strategy
Familiarity with software technologies, methodologies, and applied software engineering practices such as Object-Oriented Design (OOD) and cloud software development
Experience with testing LLM/AI responses, using such approaches as LLM-as-a-judge, etc
Preferred Qualifications
• Deep hands-on technical expertise in automation, developing test frameworks, tools, and APIs
• Experience with conversational AI platforms
• Experience with contract testing or API mocking tools
• Knowledge of performance/load testing frameworks
• Understanding or experience testing AI agents
Additional Information
We welcome applicants who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Even if you don't meet every listed requirement, we encourage you to apply. Consider your transferable experience and unique skills that may bring fresh perspective to the role.
Salary and Other Compensation:
Applications will be accepted until August 23 rd , 2026.
The annual salary for this position is between $54,000 - $104,500 depending on the experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
This position is also eligible for Cognizant's discretionary annual incentive program and stock awards, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant's applicable plans.
Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
About Cognizant:
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization's unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.
Additional employment information
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] for roles based in the Americas or [email protected] for roles based in India.